Eurovision 2016: BBC to hold open talent search for UK's next entry

The BBC launches a nationwide talent search in a bid to find a winning Eurovision song.

Next year's Eurovision may be eight months away, but the BBC are already getting serious about the UK's entry.

They've announced today (September 30) that they are launching a nationwide talent search in a bid to find a winning song and will allow the public to decide which act represents the UK in Stockholm next year.

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The move comes after years of disappointment for UK performers in the contest, most recently with electro-swing duo Electro Velvet, who came fourth from bottom with I'm Still In Love With You. The last time it was down to a public vote was in 2010.

Graham Norton said: "Eurovision is one of the highlights of my year and I love the fact that the BBC is launching its biggest song search ever. I think it really shows that they take the competition seriously and the fact that the public will get the final say on who is sent to represent the UK in Stockholm next year is the icing on the cake!"

The BBC is inviting anyone aged 18 or over to apply for the competition by submitting a video of their original song for consideration. The video does not have to be professionally shot or recorded, but must be by the artist hoping to represent the UK at the competition.

The entries will then be whittled down with the help of Eurovision fan group OGAE, while the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors will run a songwriting competition amongst its memebers. More details on the application process can be found here.

The UK last won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997, when Katrina And The Waves stormed to victory with Love Shine A Light.